ABSTRACT Bamboo wood is a widely used raw material for the manufacture of special furniture and handicraft products, and can also be used in construction and architecture. In Brazil, the usage of this material has gained great space in the last decades. However, it can suffer from the attack of the bamboo borer [Dinoderus minutus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)], causing damages and making the use of this wood unviable. Hence, the purpose of this work was to verify the behavior of D. minutus in culms of three bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. vittata e B. multiplex) in two seasons of the year, one dry and one rainy season, in addition to testing alternative methods of insect control. In relation to the behavior, we verified the damages caused by the larvae from the oviposition of D. minutus in nodes and internodes of the bamboo species. While the alternative control methods were based on the spraying of the bacterium Proteus mirabilis, as an entomopathogenic agent, on B. vulgaris nodes, and the immersion treatment of nodes of same bamboo species in aqueous extract of Dracaena arborea leaves, and in vinasse. In relation to the insect behavior, there was a higher activity (consumption and reproduction) during the rainy season and a higher attack preference for the species B. vulgaris. Regarding the alternative control methods, it was verified a better performance of the treatments with P. mirabilis and D. arborea, since they provided a mortality index superior to 90% of the insects.

RESUMEN La madera de bambú es una materia prima ampliamente utilizada para la fabricación de muebles especiales y productos de arte sanía. Además es empleada en la construcción civil y arquitectura. En Brasil, el uso de este material ha aumentado en las últimas décadas. Sin embargo, puede sufrir el ataque del barrenador de bambú Dinoderus minutus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), causando daños e inutilizando la madera. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el comportamiento de D. minutus en cañas de tres especies de bambú (Bambusa vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. vittata y B. multiplex) en dos estaciones del año, una seca y otra lluviosa, además de probar métodos alternativos de control de insectos. En relación con el comportamiento, verificamos los daños causados por las larvas a partir de la oviposición de D. minutus en nudos y entrenudos de las especies de bambú. Los métodos de control alternativos se basaron en la fumigación de la bacteria Proteus mirabilis, como agente entomopatógeno; en los nudos de B. vulgaris y el tratamiento de inmersión de nudos de la misma especie de bambú en extracto acuoso de hojas de Dracaena arborea y en vinaza. En relación con el comportamiento de los insectos, hubo una mayor actividad (consumo y reproducción) durante la temporada de lluvias y una mayor preferencia de ataque para la especie B. vulgaris. Respecto a los métodos de control alternativos, se verificó un mejor desempeño de los tratamientos con P. mirabilis y D. arborea, ya que proporcionaron un índice de mortalidad superior al 90% de los insectos.

A folha de mandioca, resíduo gerado na colheita das raízes, caracteriza-se pelo alto teor de proteínas, vitaminas e minerais, no entanto sua utilização é reduzida devido ao alto teor de fibras e substâncias antinutricionais que podem ser removidas durante obtenção de concentrados proteicos. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar processos de extração de proteínas, visando ao aproveitamento das folhas de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) como alternativa proteica. Quatro métodos foram testados: 1) Coagulação de Proteínas por Abaixamento da Temperatura; 2) Extração por Precipitação Isoelétrica; 3) Solubilização das Proteínas; 4) Fermentação do Suco de Folhas Filtrado. Para a obtenção dos concentrados, avaliaram-se também a utilização de folhas frescas ou secas e a extração em uma ou duas etapas. A solubilização das proteínas (método 3) apresentou maior rendimento de extração, no entanto com concentrado de baixa qualidade. A fermentação do suco (método 4) produziu concentrados com mais qualidade e menores custos, e a precipitação isoelétrica (método 2) promoveu a obtenção de concentrados em menor tempo, sendo ambos com boas perspectivas de utilização. A utilização de duas etapas de extração não foi vantajosa ao processo e não houve diferença entre a utilização de folha seca ou fresca, sendo que a utilização de folhas frescas se apresenta como boa opção pela simplicidade do método.

The cassava leaf, waste generated in the harvest of the roots, is characterized by high content of protein, vitamins and minerals; however, its use is limited due to the high fiber content and antinutritional substances, which can be removed by obtaining protein concentrates. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate protein extraction processes, aiming the use of cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta Crantz) as an alternative protein. Four methods were tested: 1) Coagulation of Proteins by Lowering the Temperature, 2) Extraction by Isoelectric Precipitation, 3) Solubilization of Proteins and 4) Fermentation of Filter Leaf Juice. To obtain the concentrates, the use of fresh or dried leaves and extraction in one or two steps were also evaluated. The solubilization of proteins (method 3) showed a higher extraction yield; however, with concentrate of low quality. The fermentation of the juice (method 4) produced concentrates with higher quality and lower costs and the isoelectric precipitation (method 2) promoted the obtention of concentrates in less time, both with good prospects for use. The use of two extraction steps was not advantageous to the process and there was no difference between the use of fresh or dried leaf, and the use of fresh leaves is presented as a good option for the simplicity of the method.

This study aimed at isolating and characterizing of microorganisms able to use linamarin as sole carbon source. Thirty one microbial strains were isolated from manipueira, a liquid effluent of cassava processing factories. Among these strains, Bacillus licheniformis (isolate 2_2) and Rhodotorulla glutinis (isolate L1) were able to degrade 71% and 95% of added linamarin, respectively, within 7 days, showing high biodegradation activity and great potential for detoxification of cassava processing wastewaters.

We report for the first time in Brazil, a patient from whom an Enterococcus faecalis VanA phenotype was isolated. Glycopeptide resistance is not commonly observed in Enterococcus faecalis, so this finding is of great concern since this species is responsible for 90% of enterococcal infections in Brazil. The isolate was recovered from a surveillance rectal swab culture from a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Identification to the species level was performed by conventional biochemical tests and Vitek GPI cards. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was evaluated by use of broth microdilution and Etest (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) methods. The isolate was identified as E. faecalis and was considered resistant to both vancomycin (MIC, > 256 mug/mL) and teicoplanin (MIC, 256 mug/mL). The isolate also showed high level resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin (MICs, > 1024 mug/mL), but was considered susceptible to ampicillin (MIC, 4 mug/mL). Although the frequency of enterococcal infections is very low in most Latin America countries, the finding of glycopeptide (VanA) resistance in E. faecalis increases concern about apreading antimicrobial resistance in this region.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar resíduos do farelo de mandioca resultantes de processos de hidrólise enzimática para obtenção de etanol; visando o aproveitamento destes como fonte de fibras dietéticas. Foram realizados quatro ensaios enzimáticos utilizando as enzimas amilolíticas, <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>-amilase e amiloglucosidase, complementadas ou não com celulase e/ou pectinase. Os resíduos foram caracterizados quanto à composição centesimal, pH, acidez, perfil de açúcares e quanto às fibras (FDA, FDN, celulose, hemicelulose, lignina, açúcares neutros). Realizou-se também a análise microscópica dos resíduos. Pelos resultados obtidos na caracterização dos resíduos calculou-se a energia metabolizável aparente (EM). Observou-se que independente do ensaio enzimático todos os resíduos podem ser usados como fonte de fibras insolúveis. Os resíduos resultantes dos ensaios com pectinase apresentaram uma proporção aproximada de 1:1:1 de amido, fibras e açúcares, sendo a glicose o açúcar majoritário, e com energia metabolizável aparente de cerca de 2,6 kcal/g. Já os resíduos, onde não se utilizou a pectinase a proporção foi de 2:1:1 aproximadamente e a energia 3,1 kcal/g. A análise microscópica dos resíduos mostrou a presença de amido não hidrolisado preso às células em todos os ensaios enzimáticos sendo que, nos resíduos dos ensaios com pectinase a quantidade observada foi bem inferior aos demais. Uma possível alternativa para diminuir o valor calórico dos resíduos seria a lavagem com água após a prensagem para extração do hidrolisado para fermentação.

The research had as propose to evaluate the residues of the enzymatic hydrolysis process of the ethanol production from cassava fibrous waste by dietetic fibers. Four hydrolysis process were carried out using the amylases, <FONT FACE="Symbol">a</font>-amylase and amyloglucosidase, with or without pectinase and/or cellulase. Proximate percent composition, pH, acidity, sugars and components of the fiber fraction (ADF, NDF, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and neutral sugars) was estimated. Microscopic analysis was made and the metabolic energy also was calculated. The results showed that all residues may be used as insoluble high-fiber product. The residues of the treatment with pectinase by complementary enzyme had a proximate proportion of the 1:1:1 starch, fibers and total sugars, and the glucose was the main sugar. The metabolic energy was 2.6 kcal/g. In the residues without pectinase the proportion was 2:1:1 and the metabolic energy was 3.1 kcal/g. Microscopic analysis showed that would have starch granules inside the unbroken cells and in the process with pectinase less granules were observed. An alternative for caloric value reduction would be the washing of the residue with water after the pressing process.

A farinha de mandioca e o fubá de milho foram avaliados como matérias-primas alternativas na obtenção de uma bebida fermento-destilada, visando gerar informações úteis à aplicação industrial. Os substratos foram caracterizados e comparou-se a eficiência da mosturação, o perfil de açúcares no mosto, bem como as curvas de fermentação dos substratos. Os resultados demonstraram que o conteúdo de amido foi de 78,1 % para o fubá de milho e 92,7 % para a farinha de mandioca. Quanto ao rendimento da mosturação foi de 57, 4 % para o milho e 66,4 % para a mandioca, sendo que o perfil de açúcares no mosto demonstrou que 95 % dos açúcares presentes no mosto de mandioca foi glicose e o restante pequenas porcentagens de dextrinas e maltose. Já o perfil do mosto de milho apresentou cerca de 85 % de glicose , 10 % de dextrinas e cerca de 4 % de maltose. Para o processo fermentativo, observou -se que o consumo de açúcares no mosto de mandioca foi mais rápido que no mosto de milho.

Cassava and corn flours were evaluated as alternative raw-materials for production of a fermented and distilled drink. The objective of this work was to generate information for technological application. Both flours were characterized and starch hydrolysis efficiency, sugar profile and fermentation pattern were compared. The results obtained showed that starch content of corn flour was 78.1% and for cassava flour 92.7%. Starch hydrolysis yield was 57.4% for corn and 66.4% for cassava and the sugar profiles in the hydrolysates showed that 95% of total sugar present in cassava hydrolysate was glucose and the remaining fraction was represented by dextrins and maltose. For corn hydrolysate 85% of total sugar was glucose, 10% dextrins and around 4% maltose. The fermentative process was evaluated by measuring the velocity of sugar consumption which for cassava hydrolysate was higher than for corn hydrolysate.

Cassava is a widely grown root crop which accumulates two cyanogenic glucosides, linamarin and lotaustralin. Linamarin accounts for more than 80% of the cassava cyanogenic glucosides. It is a ß-glucoside of acetone cyanohydrin and ethyl-methyl-ketone-cyanohydrin. Linamarin ß-linkage can only be broken under high pressure, high temperature and use of mineral acids, while its enzymatic break occurs easily. Linamarase, an endogenous cassava enzyme, can break this ß-linkage. The enzymatic reaction occurs under optimum conditions at 25ºC, at pH 5.5 to 6.0. Linamarin is present in all parts of the cassava plant, being more concentrated on the root and leaves. If the enzyme and substrate are joined, a good detoxification can occur. All the cassava plant species are known to contain cyanide. Toxicity caused by free cyanide (CN¯) has already been reported, while toxicity caused by glucoside has not. The lethal dose of CN¯ is 1 mg/kg of live weight; hence, cassava root classification into toxic and non-toxic depending on the amount of cyanide in the root. Should the cyanide content be high enough to exceed such a dose, the root is regarded as toxic. Values from 15 to 400 ppm (mg CN¯/kg of fresh weight) of hydrocyanic acid in cassava roots have been mentioned in the literature. However, more frequent values in the interval 30 to 150 ppm have been observed. Processed cassava food consumed in Brazil is safe in regard to cyanide toxicity.